Bryce Harper crushed a ball into the second deck in right field for a walk-off grand slam on Thursday night at Citizens Bank Park, lifting the Phils to a come from behind 7-5 victory and a three-game sweep of the Cubs.

Harper destroyed a Derek Holland sinker, sending fans into a frenzy and inciting one of the more intense player-mobs at the plate that you'll ever see. The left the yard at 113-mph and at its peak reached 158 feet into the night sky.

"That's why you sign one of the best players in baseball,” Phillies manager Gabe Kapler told reporters. “That's why you spend so much time and energy trying to get him to come to Philadelphia."

Harper zoomed around the bases with a grin, pulling his helmet off as he drew near the plate.

“I was just so excited to get back with the boys at home plate,” Harper told reporters afterward. “Everybody was going nuts. I was trying to get there as quick as possible to celebrate.”

The grand slam capped off a seven-run explosion for the Phils over the final two innings. Cubs starter Yu Darvish was solid for seven innings, surrendering just four hits while striking out 10.

The win brought the Phillies to within a game of the second Wild Card spot, which ironically, is currently held by the Cubs.

The Padres now come to town for a weekend set with Chris Paddack set to start tonight's series opener against Vince Velasquez.

No doubt about it though, the ballpark will still be buzzing about Harper's momentous blast.

“Bryce ultimately deserves all the credit for having ice water in his veins in that moment and staying relaxed," Kapler said. "One of the things we've talked about is staying loose and relaxed and confident.

“I think this could serve as a foundation for success going forward. It can certainly provide a lot of momentum for us.”
__________________________________